Preview: Tigers & Superstars combat for final place

It was an entirely dissimilar scenario when the Chennai Superstars and Kolkata Tigers faced each other during the preceding occasion – only the second match of the ICL Indian 20:20 Championship – Shabbir Ahmed bowled his team to a breathtaking victory by six runs.

Two weeks into the competition and the tables may have turned on Chennai Superstars. Stuart Law’s lineup, which was well placed to top the table after three consecutive wins to start the campaign, slipped down to the fourth in the points tally whilst McMillan’s Tigers have emerged as the team to beat.

The most positive characteristic for both teams is that captains McMillan and Law have been in good nick and more prominently, have influenced results in the tourney. The former is the second highest run-getter at the event and also the man with utmost hits outside the park. Law has fixed into a more established, subtle role, one of following up on the good work done by Harvey, Read, Satish and the rest.

Both teams will be pleased with rhythm their bowlers have found as well. Nantie Hayward, Sujay Tarafdar, Lance Klusener and Upul Chandana will lead the attack for the Tigers, whereas the Kumarans, Shabbir Ahmed and Ian Harvey will expect to persist with their fine form.

The Tigers will hope to fall back on experienced veterans Lance Klusener, Craig McMillan, Deep Dasgupta and Darren Maddy to fire in the imperative semi-final. Younger players like Mihir Diwakar, Abhishek Jhunjhunwala and the hero of the match against Hyderabad Heroes, Sujay Tarafdar will hope to establish their significance.

English wicket-keeper batsman Chris Read has fared well, filling into his new job role as the number three batsman, who is expected to provide the initial impetus if the openers fail to do the same. Russell Arnold played a critical knock during the last match against Tigers and will be a vital middle-order batsman for Superstars.

Triumph is the only ambition for the two teams heading into the fabulous semi-final clash. Chennai Superstars and Kolkata Tigers have played great cricket to amuse the crowds at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium and regardless of the outcome have fashioned brands of their own – which they will look forward to to bring back in March for the 50-50 over contest.

Source : http://www.indiancricketleague.in/